The 22 year-old sang the "Dreamgirls" ballad "Listen," rocked a bright-yellow evening gown, and exhorted kids to get off the couch and play outdoors -- and did so with just enough spunk and charisma to win a $50,000 scholarship over 52 other women.

It was a big night for the Beltway: Cameron, who won the Miss Virginia title last summer as a representative of the Miss Arlington pageant, was joined in the top 10 by opera-singing AU grad Miss D.C. Jen Corey, who introduced herself on the pageant stage with a little Salahi joke:

"From our nation's capital, I'm here to tell you that our security here is much tighter than at the White House state dinner!" Corey said.

Cameron emerged as an early favorite, having won a talent prize during preliminary competition this week. But the Virginia Commonwealth University communications major truly broke away from the pack during Saturday night's interview portion. While the other six finalists gave halting answers, Cameron seemed prepared for the pop-question about what to do about the epidemic of teen obesity.

"Take away the TV, take away the video games, set some standards for our children!" she proclaimed, eyes a-sparkle, avoiding any ums and you-knows. Children, she said, should be encouraged to go outside, "playing imaginary games with sticks in the street like I did when I was little."

Hey, it's not doctoral dissertation material. But it's the kind of upbeat message and perky delivery that resonates at the pageant, still plugging along in its 88th year despite flagging ratings (it lost its network TV berth five years ago and now airs on TLC) and its general cultural eclipsing by reality-TV phenoms like "American Idol."

Cameron doesn't appear to have the strongest Beltway bona fides: She was crowned Miss Arlington last year -- but like so many pageant pros, her big win came only after jumping around from local pageant to local pageant (Springfield, Hanover County, Chesterfield County) in her four-year quest to win the state crown. Her official "platform" in the competition, though little mentioned in Saturday's broadcast, is AIDS education. She is now the third Miss Virginia in history to win, following Nicole Johnson in 1999 and Kylene Barker in 1979. Like many past Miss Americans, her goal is to become a TV anchor. (Among the former pageant champs making a cameo during TLC's coverage Saturday: Miss America 1989 Gretchen Carlson, now the host of Fox News's morning show "Fox & Friends.")

Among the celebrity judges featured on Saturday's broadcast: Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who declared he was looking for four things in the future Miss A: "Poise, confidence, articulation, and she must like herself."

Among the celebrity judges featured on Saturday's broadcast: Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who declared he was looking for four things in the future Miss A: "Poise, confidence, articulation, and she must like herself."

Why are we still having Miss America pagents and others? Is the new Miss America a light skinned Negro who speaks the proper English without a Negro dialect? Dark skin Negroes in America don't stand a chance, because Senator Harry Reid told the truth, white America prefers light skinned Negroes over dark or purple Negroes. How sad!!!!

Ewww. Can anyone think of anything more demeaning (or absurd) for a woman than being "judged" by Rush Limbaugh? A man who didn't think any of us should be helping Haiti out is going to judge the character of these women. How utterly laughable!

It's very sad that individuals like Ward4DC and so many others have such a negative 'what's the use' attitude. Are you suggesting such a self-fulfilling prophecy for all who did not happen to be born a lighter shade? Why not make an effort to read, learn, and move in a more positive direction and rise above the howling masses (including Harry Reid). You'll be a bright light instead of a complainer.

Democrats are the party of Slavery. 200 yrs ago it was physical slavery. Today it is economic slavery.

What better way to keep a slave in check, than to make him dependent on you from Womb to Tomb? Can we all say, "Welfare, Govt Assistance, etc"? If you give your slave a cheap roof over their head, food in their belly, and provide basic support, they'll remain your slave with a smile. Saying, "I Love my Master".

This is exactly where Democrats work to make sure their base remains. Dependent Slaves.

If Democrats really carried, they would cut out the support structure of Government and force people to fend for themselves. When you are forced to work because you have no money for food, you quickly will do anything. No more Oprah, now its all about pounding the pavement to find work or creating your own business...

@Ward4DC - "Why are we still having Miss America pagents and others? Is the new Miss America a light skinned Negro who speaks the proper English without a Negro dialect? Dark skin Negroes in America don't stand a chance, because Senator Harry Reid told the truth, white America prefers light skinned Negroes over dark or purple Negroes. How sad!!!!"

To posters who are concerned about the varieties of hues of African Americans or their "dialect", LET'S COMPARE DNA BEFORE you run to the beach or tanning salon in an attempt to darken your skin. The dialect of numerous African Americans is much more favorable than many Europeans - (the ones who taught African Americans the language (hilarious!)). Stop being so critical!

The Negro dialect is a reflection of the African culture - Do your BEST! African Americans don't care about Senator Harry Reid or your contorted logic regarding preferences - YOU CANNOT MAKE US STOP LOVING US!

"Miss America" was "judged" and "picked" by Rush Limbaugh? What a mind boggleing concept that is, and what an insult to any woman! To be "judged" by the county's most notorious right-wing, drug addicted, corrosive, white skinned cynic, who hates himself and derides every good spirited value that America has traditionally represented in the world? Proof that the most convoluted and sickest of jokes occur from the political correctness of notoriety!

It's so obvious that Ms. Roberts and Ms. Argentsinger are trying to delegitmize Ms. Cameron's win with the follow comments:

"... While the other six finalists gave halting answers, Cameron seemed prepared for the pop-question about what to do about the epidemic of teen obesity".

Oh, it couldn't be that Ms. Cameron is good at interviewing?

"...Cameron doesn't appear to have the strongest Beltway bona fides: She was crowned Miss Arlington last year -- but like so many pageant pros, her big win came only after jumping around from local pageant to local pageant (Springfield, Hanover County, Chesterfield County) in her four-year quest to win the state crown".

If her journey to the crown is similar to other Miss Americas, why mention it?

First, congratulations to Miss Cameron on winning the title of Miss America.

Second, I find it very sad that an intelligent, attractive young lady who gave honest answers about children and obesity, and was voted to represent our country is being relegated by some small-minded people as a "light-skinned Negro who speaks well."

She did not win the title because of the lightness or darkness of her skin. She won because she was simply the best of all the contestants.

Dear WeShallOvercomeInCouture:
You're reading a little too much into this. I thought I was praising Cameron's interview skills: She was prepared, as opposed to the others who were unprepared. She clearly gave the best answer -- spontaneous, thoughtful, enthusiastic -- and at that point became the clear frontrunner... I described her pageant trajectory to explain why we're not heralding Miss Arlington as an Arlingtonian, but then wanted to make it clear there's nothing unusual in pageant-world about what she did.

Wait a minute. I thought Ms. Bimbo...er, um, I mean to say I thought the Ms. America farce was held in September. As a matter of fact I thought they had finally came to their senses and realized that no one cared anymore.

Boy am I wrong and late with things. At least they found a real "A-list" celebrity to host it.

I have known Caressa and her family for years. She is an intelligent, poised, focused young women with beyond-the-ordinary vocal talent. She has been sincerely dedicated to "her platform" cause, and is a beautiful person on the outside AND in spirit. She has worked hard for this honor and will be a great representative.

Posted by: dgb1 --
It's very sad that individuals like Ward4DC and so many others have such a negative 'what's the use' attitude. Are you suggesting such a self-fulfilling prophecy for all who did not happen to be born a lighter shade? Why not make an effort to read, learn, and move in a more positive direction and rise above the howling masses (including Harry Reid). You'll be a bright light instead of a complainer.

DGB1, don't be mad a me, because whites in America prefer light skinned articulate Negroes. I am black with a brown skinned complexion and I know first hand racism and prejudice in America based on skin color. If President Obama was as dark/purple and ugly as his Nigerian father, whites in America wouldn't have voted for him. For those ignorant whites who are writing this woman looks Mexican or Puerto Rican, you are wrong with your prejudice. It's obvious this woman is black with the long hair weave feeding it to it's supposedly is the meaning of beauty. It this woman had been dark skinned like Whoppi Goldberg with nappy hair, I can assure you, she wouldn't have won this so called beauty pageant. Stop hating on me for speaking the truth. Light skinned Negro D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty is another example of D.C. white voters being pleased with his performance, because he's the closet thing to being a white mayor in their eyes.

Bushgottago wrote: @Ward4DC - "Why are we still having Miss America pagents and others? Is the new Miss America a light skinned Negro who speaks the proper English without a Negro dialect? Dark skin Negroes in America don't stand a chance, because Senator Harry Reid told the truth, white America prefers light skinned Negroes over dark or purple Negroes. How sad!!!!"
To posters who are concerned about the varieties of hues of African Americans or their "dialect", LET'S COMPARE DNA BEFORE you run to the beach or tanning salon in an attempt to darken your skin. The dialect of numerous African Americans is much more favorable than many Europeans - (the ones who taught African Americans the language (hilarious!)). Stop being so critical!

The Negro dialect is a reflection of the African culture - Do your BEST! African Americans don't care about Senator Harry Reid or your contorted logic regarding preferences - YOU CANNOT MAKE US STOP LOVING US!

Bushgottago, you are an idiot! I am American who happens to be black, not African American. Africa is a huge continent with many countries. What country in Africa are you from? I doubt if you have been to Africa. It's a known fact, whites in America have always favored lighter skinned Negroes over brown or darker Negroes. I am no fan of Senator Harry Reid, but he spoke the truth by admitting to the United States dirty secret on racism based on skin color in America. The same thing happens in Latin America or in Spanish speaking countries too based on skin color and hair texture.

a few things - first of all, Rush Limbaugh NEVER came out in opposition to people donating money to Haiti. That is typical left-wing spin that you guys amazingly seem to have taken as fact. Rush said we shouldn't donate to some of these shady relief organizations which have just popped up - the second part of Rush's statement was that we should donate to the Red Cross or similar established aid organization. Donating money to the white house fund was what he objected to. Last I checked, we already donated money to the white house. It is called taxes, for those of you who work and contribute.

Secondly, while beauty pageants are ridiculous and the thought of this fat slob somehow being an authority on women's beauty is a ridiculous thought, how about Perez Hilton last year? So a homosexual with a political agenda is OK as a judge, but Rush is out of the question? At least Rush didn't use this opportunity to use this pageant for his own political gain! Perez used his judging turn as a platform to push his own agenda - publically skewering a woman who didn't agree with him. This is a beauty pageant, not a referendum on gay marraige. I didn't notice the same outrage after Perez's antics - strange how that works, isn't it?

The decision to ask Limbaugh to be a judge was an obvious ploy by the pageant organizers to try to attract a larger TV audience while making a political statement by drawing comparisons to the selection of Perez Hilton by the less conservative Miss USA pageant.

Unfortunately, since very few people pay attention to Miss America anymore (which minor cable station carries the broadcast?), we'll give it two snaps and a shrug.

most of the other gir1s are more attractive. Is this a post-modern, multicultural, affirmitive action sham like the Obama presidency & most anti-white TV advertising nowadays? Was it a setup? Did they say beforehand, 'we have a black woman competing, we better make her win?' Can we have a "Caucasian Miss America" like the blacks have 'black miss America?'

Why is a black female permitted to participate in the "Miss USA Pagent""

There is a "Miss Black America" pagent. Are white females permitted to enter this contest? NO!!!!

Also, note USA = United States of America.
A recent poll showed that 78% of Black-Americans do not recognize the 4th of July as the day of Independence for the United States of America.
They choose to celebrate "Juneteeth" as their Independence Day.

She is very attractive your female however, she wasn't the best contestant and should not have be declared the winner!!!

Geeze- white racist Americans- anyone darker than milk, that wins anything must be an affirmative action product, or ain't all that, or is not so pretty, or deserving of some other sneerng slur.

Face it white America, you are completely outnumbered on the planet as a whole, and your "day in the sun" is over. Better learn some humility quick- because the shift in demographics could turn-out pretty harsh, you intolerant ignorant fools.

Notice that Nasa engineer from Ghana? How about the fact that India will be launcing manned space flight soon and is already overtaking us in information technology?
Notice that Chinese are smart and savvy enough to crash google- and that those little brown middle-eastern types can hack through our secure sites?

All the while you were carping about america being the best and number one, cleaning your guns and neglecting your educations.

Geeze--interactidiomas! Don't worry about white people. They know how to take care of themselves.

And did you really mean to suggest that white people were neglecting their educations? Have you seen the high school graduation stats for non-white minority students? Or illegitimate birth rates? Or HIV infection rates? Or incarceration rates? Or unemployment rates?

Name the social negative where whites lead other segments of the population. There may be one. If so, I haven't heard of it.

congratulations to the new miss america 2010, now to all the haters give it a rest. had a dark skinned contestant won there would still be a ballyhoo, had the expected white contestant won there would be nary a word.just be prepared to get your knickers in a knot when anything happens, to, for and with a person of color.we win presidencies, beauty contests, sporting events, and talent awards.we also get caught with skanks that harm our marriages, guess what, you too.

Congratulations to Caressa. She looks pretty- 5' 4" is short and she doesn't look particularly padded or added. She is attractive, talented, articulate and funny. If she isn't your fantasy woman, maybe she doesn't care. Stop trying to air out your stereotypes here.

Except of course for the stereotypically racist conservative commentary from the Usual Suspects here in the comments (anyone else notice how they travel in packs from story to story?). I hope you losers paid for a subscription and aren't just freeloading off of the hard work of others to provide you a platform for your unhinged vitrol.

I can't believe I'm responding to the illogical, superficial, ignorant and factually-inaccurate comments on this thread, but I'm obviously just that bored.

IHMO beauty pageants are sexist relics that have long outlived their usefulness as a way for young women to gain educational,economic and social leverage in male-dominated society. But I digress.

Affirmative Action? Really? For who?

Until there 1984 there was a Miss "White America" pageant. It was called ... well ... The Miss America Pageant. Non-white women were officially barred from the pageant until at least 1940. It was called Rule #7. Contestants were required to complete a biological questionaire tracing their ancestry. Anyone who has spent serious time around pageants can tell you the winners are determined by far more than the judges' scores. Not until 1970 did a Black contestant manage to win a state pageant and proceed to Miss America in Atlantic City. Still wondering why there is a Miss Black America and a Miss Hispanic America and a Miss Asian America?

For the record ... Since 1994 there have been Black/African-American/Bi-Racial Miss Americas, including Caressa Cameron. Their skin-tones have ranged from dark to light.

Geez, everyone sounds so angry. DCWard4... I'm also from DC but right now I am in Brazil. There is a different view here about skin color. Things in the US are not so very bad. Life is an attitude. Wake up and smell the coffee. Perhaps one day we can have a cup of coffee, Ward4. Best wishes.

Is that her real hair or Especially Yours or Beverly Johnson extensions or a lace front wig? Beautiful, if you like a lot of make up. Will the real very little or not at all make up and real hair Miss America please take a stand!

>Quote B202: "Ewww. Can anyone think of anything more demeaning (or absurd) for a woman than being "judged" by Rush Limbaugh? A man who didn't think any of us should be helping Haiti out is going to judge the character of these women. How utterly laughable!
Posted by: B2O2 | January 31, 2010 2:06 AM"

Demeaning, absurd, and utterly laughable is the fact Mr. Limbaugh's comments were taken out of context by liberal media watchdog, Media Matters. I heard Mr. Limbaugh live when he commented on contributions to help Haiti. Those who seek truth can go to Mr. Limbaugh's website to see for themselves.